RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06989593

Breaking Silence Through Story: A Narrative Medicine Intervention for Parents of Children With Urogenital Conditions

Sponsor

Sarah Schlegel

Enrollment

20 participants

Start Date

Oct 10, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

DSD Hypospadias

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a journaling intervention can reduce stress and anxiety in parents of children with urogenital conditions (such as differences of sex development and hypospadias). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does guided journaling help to reduce anxiety levels in parents of children with urogenital conditions? * What are parents' perspectives on group-based writing interventions for future support programs? Participants will: * Complete a short anxiety questionnaire (the General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale) at the beginning of the study * Receive a physical journal with 5 writing prompts designed to help process emotions related to their child's condition * Complete 5 journal entries over several weeks, writing about their experiences and feelings * Complete the same anxiety questionnaire again after finishing the journal entries * Participate in a 45-minute interview to discuss how the journaling affected their stress levels and gather feedback on potential group-based writing programs

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing a narrative medicine intervention — guided journaling and storytelling — to help parents and guardians of children with urogenital conditions (such as differences of sex development or hypospadias) process their experiences, break through silence or shame, and improve emotional well-being. **You may be eligible if...** - You are a parent or legal guardian of a child (ages 0–17) diagnosed with a urogenital condition (differences of sex development and/or hypospadias) - Your child receives care at Boston Children's Hospital - You can read and understand English - You are willing to complete a guided journaling program over about 5 weeks (by writing or audio dictation) - You are willing to complete a 45-minute follow-up interview **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have a severe psychiatric disorder that would interfere with participation (as determined by your referring physician) - You are unable to complete journaling activities in written or audio form Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALNarrative Medicine Journaling Intervention

Participants will complete the GAD-7 anxiety assessment at baseline. They will then receive a physical journal containing 5 structured, therapeutic writing prompts designed to help process emotions related to their child's diagnosis. Prompts focus on processing experiences with diagnosis, addressing uncertainty, coping with stigma, and developing resilience. Parents will be instructed to complete the 5 journal entries, spending 15-20 minutes on each writing session at least once per week. Following completion of the journaling intervention, participants will complete a follow-up GAD-7 assessment and take part in a 30-45 minute qualitative interview to further assess perceived changes in anxiety, stress, and coping strategies, and to gather feedback on potential group-based writing programs.